Getting Oriented
Reds Canyon Loop sits in the southern San Rafael Swell, between Castle Dale and I-70 in Emery County, Utah. The standard staging point is the Wedge Overlook area on the north side or the Goblin Valley area on the south. The Bureau of Land Management's Price Field Office manages the area; the Swell as a whole became a 217,000-acre BLM Recreation Area under the 2019 Dingell Act.
Hidden Splendor is a former uranium-era airstrip on the Muddy River, now a developed BLM dispersed-camping area. Reds Canyon climbs back up to the rim through ponderosa-and-juniper benches and slickrock.
Trail Overview
Sixty-seven miles, loop. The standard direction is counterclockwise from Hidden Splendor: drop in via the airstrip approach, ford the Muddy River, climb out via Reds Canyon, and return via Tomsich Butte and the perimeter roads.
Most of the loop runs at moderate grade on graded gravel and dirt. The challenging segments are the steep descent into Hidden Splendor (loose rock, off-camber sections), the Muddy River ford (typically shallow but rises after rain), and the upper Reds Canyon rock benches. Most groups run the full loop in a long day or split it across two days with an overnight at Hidden Splendor.
Points of Interest
- Hidden Splendor. Former 1950s uranium-era airstrip on the Muddy River, now a primitive BLM camping area. The airstrip is the loop's signature view.
- Tomsich Butte. Old uranium mining camp on the loop's western arc, with mine-era ruins and interpretive markers.
- Reds Canyon. Slickrock canyon with sandstone walls and a winding gravel road climbing back to the rim.
- Muddy River ford. Shallow river crossing required to complete the loop. Rises after rain.
- Upper Black Box. A canyon-bottom slot accessed by foot from the loop's south arc.
- Behind the Reef trail intersection. The loop intersects with Behind the Reef at its southern arc.
Where to Camp
Hidden Splendor is the standard overnight stop, with primitive BLM sites near the airstrip. Vault toilet, no water. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Swell on BLM land. The Wedge Overlook area on the loop's north side has primitive sites with a long-distance view down the Little Grand Canyon. Goblin Valley State Park to the south offers developed camping with showers and reservations.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- The Muddy River ford is the trip-controlling hazard. Confirm river levels before driving in. Recent rain can make the ford impassable.
- Carry water. The Muddy is silty and not drinkable without serious filtration.
- The reliable season is April-June and September-October. Summer afternoons exceed 100°F and winter brings snow.
- High-clearance 4WD is the safe minimum. Stock SUVs handle the loop in dry conditions but get tested on the Hidden Splendor descent.
- Hidden Splendor camping fills on Easter and on October weekends. Have a backup site in mind.
- Pair Reds Canyon Loop with Behind the Reef for a longer multi-day Swell trip.
- The Black Dragon Wash pictograph panel is 25 miles east on I-70 — a worthwhile non-driving stop.
- Cell coverage is gone for the entire loop. Bring an offline map and tell someone where you're going.
